The registration fee includes instruction, lunch, snacks and beverages (lodging and Saturday dinner is not included). All sessions are held at Anna V’s B&B

Candace Simar nurtures a passion for inspirational writing. Look for her stories in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Cup of Comfort, and the Lake Country Journal. Her blog “Sweet Honey from the Rock” offers encouragement to international readers.

Lanesboro Arts presents ‘THE ADRENALINE SET” on Friday Feb. 13th at 7:30 PM.
THE ADRENALINE SET’ is a 99-minute set of 9 films shown on the big screen, with action-packed adventure in films featuring everything from ice climbing to stand-up board white water kayaking to skateboarding. Tickets are $8Nine films will be featured: 1) BRYAN AND KAIA Mountain biker Bryan Gregory attempts to keep up with his dog, Kaia, on a piece of Pacific Northwest single track. If you’re a dog person, your little heart may just burst with 2) EL SENDERO LUMINOSO World-renowned free solo climber Alex Honnold performs what many regard as the most difficult ropeless climb ever attempted in history. 3)TYLER HOWELL Downhill skateboarder Tyler Howell stylishly descends the hills of Santa Barbara, California, — wearing nothing more than a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. 4) LIKEBOMB SKIING Johan Jonsson skis lines that any sane person would avoid.5) SOUND OF THE VOID skiier Sébastien de Sainte Marie picks extreme lines that few dare to try. 6) DESERT ICE During winter’s coldest days, if the conditions are right, ice can form inside Zion National Park’s deep, shadowy slot canyons, creating frozen pitches amid incredible red rock formations. In Desert Ice, ice climbers Scott Adamson and Jesse Hueysetout in search of Zion ice. 7) THE KARSTS OF CHINA climbers Cedar Wright, Emily Harrington and Matt Segal and National Geographic photographer Carsten Peter spend a month roaming the China, seeking otherworldly formations and unclimbed routes in an exploration of wild and incredible landscapes. 8) SURFING IDAHOWinona’s own, Mike Cichanowski, goes on an 85 mile white water trip in Idaho on stand up boards. 9) WALLED IN the story of a first descent of the rowdy Marble Fork of the Kaweah River in Sequoia National Park by kayakers Ben Stookesbury and Chris Korbulic,

Early in November the Tundra Swans will arrive in Brownsville, MN on their annual migration. Brownsville is located 10 miles south of LaCrescent, MN on MN state Hwy 26. The US Fish and Wildlife Services has created an overlook just south of Brownsville on the Mississippi River where the swans and migrating ducks can be seen by the thousands.

Swans In Flight

The swans are graceful birds with a wing span of over seven feet! The swans migrate from their summer habitat near the Arctic Circle to their winter habitat in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland.

The swans fly non-stop from the Arctic Circle to the Mississippi River where they refuel for the next leg of the migration. They remain in Brownsville until the colder temperatures and reduced feeding habitat pushes them on. They may stop in Lake Erie for another refueling stop.

Tundra swans on Mississippi River Sand Bar

The photos really don’t do the experience justice. The sound is nearly deafening. There are places where the sand bars are white with birds. It looks more like snow in the distance!

The Mississippi River backwaters provide the aquatic plant life that the swans need to refuel for the next leg on their migration. Brownsville is an hour’s drive from Lanesboro through the beautiful Root River valley.

The southeastern counties of Minnesota have over a hundred different trout streams, most of which receive very light fishing pressure after the big opener in mid-April. Some of the best-known streams near Lanesboro are Trout Run Creek and the creeks that feed the Root River.

Many of the streams are spring fed and quite clear. When you are taking a break from fishing, you can visit the Minnesota DNR fish hatchery just outside Lanesboro where they raise 100,000 pounds of rainbow and brown trout each year.

I took one of our guests out one evening to a creek near Lanesboro. Amazingly, at dusk the conditions were nearly mosquito free. Our guest had success as you can see from the photo. The streams are quite shallow and easily waded.

Visit us and I can recommend other streams that guests have found to be worth the trip.

In Lanesboro we are blessed with wonderful live theater. The Commonweal offers two shows running in repertory from Memorial Day through October. The offerings this summer are two great plays: Arsenic and Old Lace and Around the World in 80 Days. Performances are scheduled Thursday through Sunday. Starting September 12 Tony award winning Arcadia begins and runs through October.

Theater is not limited to the professionals in Lanesboro. Lanesboro Community Theatre presents Fiddler on the Roof July 18-20 and 25-27. Tickets are in high demand because there is a cast of 45. The play will showcase the talents of our creative community. Contact the Lanesboro Arts Center for advance tickets.

The business district is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.

Are you visiting Rochester, Minnesota and looking for a short day trip? The Bed and Breakfast capital of Minnesota is only 35 miles away. Lanesboro, a town of 754, has ten B&Bs waiting to welcome visitors.

Traditional furnishings are accented with antiques and a touch of Amish influence.
Awaken each morning to just-baked home made bread delivered quietly to your door with a beverage of your choice. Later enjoy a hearty breakfast in the dining room featuring fruit, and a main entree.

You can find many things to do to make your visit to Lanesboro worthwhile. Visit Lanesboro.com to learn more.

This blog is authored by innkeeper Marv Eggert from the Hillcrest Hide-Away Bed and Breakfast. Marv and Carol can help you get the most out your visit to our beautiful corner of Minnesota.

Promotions and sales will be available all day throughout downtown Lanesboro. Click here for a full schedule of events.

Make it a weekend by staying at the Hillcrest Hide-Away Bed and Breakfast. Three of our rooms are well suited to girlfriend getaways with sleeping room for up to 4. Awaken to the aroma of bread baking in the oven and allow us to pamper you for the weekend.

A White Christmas has come and gone; now we are on to the new year. We have lots of options for fun in the winter wonderland surrounding Lanesboro. Travelandleisure.com recently named Lanesboro one of America’s prettiest winter towns. Cross country skiing, snow shoeing, sledding, snowmobiling and horse drawn sleigh rides are all available.

The Root River State Trail is groomed for many miles of cross country skiing. Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center has cross country, snow shoe and snow mobile trails for your enjoyment. Snow shoe up the bluff at Isinours Junction along the Root River State Trail.

Call us to schedule a sleigh ride along with your stay. Tammy and Duane will take you on a tour of the bluffs overlooking the Root River valley. At the half way point warm up with some hot chocolate in the in their cabin in the woods. Then return to your guest room to snuggle up by the fireplace to warm up.

Awaken to the aroma of home made bread baking each morning at the Hillcrest Hide-Away followed by a hearty breakfast in our dining room. We hope you make a new years resolution to visit Lanesboro this year. Your innkeepers – Marv and Carol Eggert.

After nearly 10 inches of rain in May and continued dreary skies into June, I think summer has finally arrived in Lanesboro. We’re celebrating three consecutive days of sunshine! With summer comes a new theatre season and a few new arrivals around town.

A Doll’s House by Henrik Ibsen is entering it’s final week at the Commonweal Theatre. The last show is Friday June 14. Blythe Spirit opened on May 10th and has been receiving great reviews.

Sherlock Holmes: the Final Adventure opens on June 21 and runs through the end of October. Enhance your theatre experience by booking a Romance and Relaxation Package including dinner for 2 at the Intermission restaurant. The theatre is also offering a “Date Night” package including 2 tickets, champagne, gourmet desserts, reserved seating, and concierge service. Contact the box office at 800 657-7025 for more details.

A number of downtown buildings have under gone a facelift. Pedal Pushers Cafe has a new fresh look with an updated menu. Rhino’s Pizza and Subs is now Gil B’s Pizza and Subs with a restored historic store front. Lanesboro Local has moved 300 feet south and has more space for many new locally produced items. Amish Experience has expanded to a 2nd store front with new merchandise lines. Get Fresh Vintage offers a variety of creatively re-purposed articles to tickle your fancy. Little River General Store has new items for fishermen to take advantage of all the great trout streams near by.

There are new things at Hillcrest Hide-Away too. Our landscape labyrinth has a number of new perennials to add more color and variety. Marv has been dividing many of the garden perennials and would be glad to share some of the extras with guests as long as they go to a “good home”. Carol has been working hard in the kitchen on new recipes for our guest enjoyment.

The Root River valley offers fun ways to fill your time away. In addition to the trail, river sports, shopping, Amish tours and theatre in Lanesboro, you can browse antiques in Harmony or sample win at two wineries within a half hour of Lanesboro each with their own tasting room.

Visit Seed Savers in rural Decorah where you can find great gardening ideas along with a unique supply of heirloom seeds.

Remember that when you stay 2 nights at the Hillcrest Hide-Away Sunday through Thursday, you are eligible for our mid-week discount of $10 off per night. Make sure you note that when making your reservation.